The Centurion – one story, endless messages – THAT’S Scripture! Take one passage in Scripture, read it today and get a message. Read the same passage a year from now and get another message!
my current dilemma
After I committed to writing yesterday, I realized that I had already written a reflection on today’s Gospel last year. I wondered how I could come up with anything new today. I certainly didn’t want to share something “old.” So I prayed and here it goes.
Today’s Gospel – Matthew 8:5-11:
When he entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.? He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the kingdom of heaven.
the centurion
Here we have a centurion – “large and in charge,” a man who had control over many. His “kind” would be responsible for the darkness of the scourging and crucifixion of Jesus. And yet, we get to see a spark of goodness in him. There’s even a glimmer of humility. How can I say this?
First, the centurion exhibits compassion for his servant. He goes so far as to risk his own safety and security by seeking Jesus’ help. He does this for a person who, in those days, was considered “beneath” him.
In addition to compassion, the centurion exhibits humility by recognizing his need for help despite his physical and social stature. He humbles himself, yet again, when he acknowledges his unworthiness before Jesus. Imagine this from a centurion!
jesus the christ
We can assume Jesus knows who the centurion is and what he is all about. Yet, Jesus responds to the centurion immediately. He is summoned and responds “I will come and cure him.” NO QUESTIONS ASKED! Not “who are you, where do you come from, tell me about your past…….”
My take away from this Gospel (this year):
- Everyone has a spark of goodness in them, no matter how difficult or dark they may seem.
- People change – we shouldn’t judge people based on an opinion or position they held long ago – some people actually do change. Circumstances and experiences help shape us. Some serve to harden our hearts and some to open them.
- Our true strength comes from God no matter how strong we think we are in physical or social stature. We must depend on Him to guide us daily and get us through the tough times.
- Christ knows us, He hears us and He answers, NO QUESTIONS ASKED!
Opening our eyes, hearts and minds
Can we see the goodness in others? If we believe that we are all made in God’s image and likeness, we should be able to see it. Failing to see the goodness in others is like telling God, “not ALL you created is good,” and THAT’S not good! Time to clean the eye lens.
Have we changed in the past several months, years, decades? If we’ve changed, then why is it so hard for us to believe that others can change? Circumstances and experiences are dynamic not static. Our lives and relationships are just as dynamic. Let’s open our hearts to accept the fact that people can change and give them the benefit of the doubt.
How much control do you want, need or think you have in this life? Is there some resistance when you depend on your own devices? Life would move along so much smoother, if we open our minds to trust as the centurion did. Jesus is there, waiting, no questions asked!
GOD BLESS YOU!
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